Catafalque.



E. EWATKINS.

GATAFALQUB.

APPLICATION FILED MAR. 6, 1913.

Patented @15.11913 Ill A llll n Il COLUMBIA PLANox-.RAPH co.,wAsmNuToN. u. c.

EDWARD F. WATKINS, GF COVINGTON, LOUISIANA.

CATAFALQUE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Application filed March 6, 1913. Serial No. 752,530.

T 0 all whom 2f may concern.'

Be it rknown that l, EDWARD F. VArkrNs, a citizen of the United States, residing at Covington, in the parish of St. Tainmany and State of Louisiana, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Catafalques; and Ido hereby dec-lare the follow ing to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

The present invention vrelates to catafalques, and has for its purpose to provide a device of that character having mean-s whereby the supported casket may be quietly and conveniently changed from one position to another without requiring to be handled by the pall bearers.

The invention further proposes to provide a catafalque of this kind which is of simple construction, neat in appearance, and one in which all of the necessary operations may be carried out by one person.

With these and other objects in view the invention consists in the novel details of construction and combinations of parts more fully hereinafter disclosed and particularly pointed out in the claim.

Referring to the accompanying drawings forming a part of this specification in which like numerals designate like parts in all the viewsz-Figure l is a top plan view of the catafalque showing the casket in position thereon; Fig. 2 is alongitudinal sectional view of the same showing parts in elevation; and Fig. 3 is a similar view taken at right angles to Fig. 2.

Referring to the construction in detail, the catafalque consistsof a suitable supporting structure comprising corne-r posts which are connected by upper and lower cross pieces 2 and 3, respectively, and upper and lower side pieces 4 and 5, the whole forming a rectangular frame. A second frame of cross design connects the lower frame section (3 and 5) and consists of a longitudinal bar 6 and a transversely-disposed bar 7; and a second transverselydisposed bar or cross piece 8 connects the two side bars 4 of the upper section.

Two pairs of rollers 9 and 10 are journaled in suitable bearings provided by brackets l1 and 12, that are mounted on the upper frame section ieces 4 and said rollers are disposed sufficiently above the upper surface of the supporting structure to allow of the free positioning and removing of the dling of the casket by the pall bearers. The

turn -table 13 is mounted on a metal shaft 14 secured to the under side of the table through the medium of a metal plate 15. The shaft 14 is revolubly mounted within a post 16 which is in turn vertically movable through suitable guideways 17 and 18 formed in the lower and upper cross bars 7 and 8, respectively. The post 16 is of substantially rectangular design in cross-section, and is provided with an inner metal lining 19 providing a suitable bearing for the shaft 14, and on its outer sides said post is similarly formed with a metal lining 20. A plate 21 is secured to the under side of the longitudinal bar 5 immediately under the aperture 17 and forms a support for said post when the same is in its lowermost position. A plate 22 is mounted on the lower cross bar 7 and is perforated to receive the elevating post 16; and in like manner the upper and lower sides of the cross bar 8 are similarly provided with plates 23 and 24, through which the elevating post passes.

The means for elevating the post consists of a lever 25 fulcrumed at 26 to a bracket 27, that is mounted on the lower bar 6. Said lever is constructed with a bifurcated end 28 engaging with an anti-friction roller 29 on opposite sides of the post 16. The antifriction roller 29 is journaledv in the post 16 and in the operation of the lever rides the bifurcated end 28 thereof, and in this Inanner reduces the friction and permits of a quietly operating means for elevating the casket. The opposite end of the lever 25 is constructed with a handle 30 for manipulating the lever, and a latch 31 pivoted on the cross piece 3 of the lower frame section is adapted to engage with said lever at the handle end thereof and hold the same while the revoluble table 13 is supporting the casket. The table 13 is provided with a Patented Ufct. 7,1913.

plurality of pins 32 which serve as guides and steadying means for the casket, as in the manner shown.

From the foregoing, it will be readily seen that the casket may be conveniently and quietly elevated from its support on the rollers l0, and when thus raised free of said rollers may be turned to any horizontal position desired. With this arrangement7 the casket may be readily reversed Within a minimum of space, thus avoiding the trouble and possible confusion likely to result When this reversion of the casket is carried out by the pall bearers.

I claimt- In a catafalque,'the combination of a supporting structure having a longitudinally disposed bar and a pair of transversely disposed bars, said rst and second named bars provided With registering apertures; a post mounted to have vertical movement through said apertures, and formed With afcentralV bore; rollers journaled on said structure and adapted to support the casket; a table; al`

shaft revolubly mounted in the bore of said post and supporting the table; a bracket mounted on said longitudinallyV disposed bar; rollers mounted on said vertically movporting 'engagement with the casket for;

turning the latter. l

In testimony whereof, I aiiix my signature, in presence of two Witnesses.

EDWARD F. TVVATKINS. Witnesses P. E. THIRIOT, E. V. RICHARD.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents, Washington, D. C. 

